Downregulation of VEGFA inhibits proliferation, promotes apoptosis, and suppresses migration and invasion of renal clear cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion in renal clear cell carcinoma (RCCC). METHODS: Between June 2012 and June 2015, RCCC tissues were obtained for the experimental group, and RCCC adjacent tumor-free kidney parenchyma tissues were obtained for the control group. VEGFA mRNA and protein expressions and phosphoinositide 3-kinase, serine/threonine-specific protein kinase (AKT), and phosphorylated-AKT protein expressions were detected. The chemically synthesized specific siRNA using RNA interference technology was used to inhibit VEGFA gene expression in human RCCC 786-O cells. The negative control (NC) group was transfected with NC sequence, and the blank group was transfected with no sequence. Flow cytometry, scratch test, and cell-penetrating experiment were used to detect cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of 786-O cells. RESULTS: Positive expression of VEGFA protein was 60.62% in RCCC tissue and 18.34% in adjacent tissue with statistically significant difference (P<0.001). VEGFA protein and mRNA expressions were higher in RCCC tissue than those in adjacent tissue (both P<0.01). VEGF expression in RCCC tissue was associated with Fuhrman grading and American Joint Committee on Cancer staging (both P<0.05). After RCCC 786-O cells transfecting the VEGFA siRNA, the VEGFA mRNA and protein expressions and phosphoinositide 3-kinase and phosphorylated-AKT protein expressions were significantly decreased, cell proliferation was remarkably inhibited, cell apoptotic ratio was obviously increased, and migration distance and invasive cell number were markedly decreased compared to those in the NC group and the blank group (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Inhibition of VEGFA inhibited proliferation, promoted apoptosis, and suppressed migration and invasion of RCCC 786-O cells. VEGF has a potential role in diagnosis and therapy of RCCC.

Factors Associated with Knowledge of and Willingness for Adult Male Circumcision in Changsha, China.

BACKGROUND: Male circumcision (MC) has been shown to reduce the risk of male genital diseases. MC is not commonly practiced among Chinese males and little is known about the factors associated with their knowledge of and willingness for MC. This study was to explore the knowledge regarding the foreskin among Chinese males and to identify factors associated with their willingness to undergo circumcision. METHODS: A total of 237 patients with redundant prepuce/phimosis were interviewed through face-to-face interviews. The items on the questionnaire included: demographics, an objective scale assessing knowledge about the foreskin, willingness to have MC, the attitudes of sexual partners and doctors toward redundant prepuce/phimosis, and the approaches that patients used to acquire knowledge regarding the prepuce. Univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed to identify factors that are associated with willingness to be circumcised (WTC). RESULTS: A total of 212 patients completed the interview. Multivariable logistic regression showed that three factors were significantly associated with WTC: being married (OR = 0.43), perceiving redundant prepuce/phimosis as a disease (OR = 1.93), and if a patient's partner supported MC (OR = 1.39). 58% (n = 122) had received information about the foreskin from another party: 18% (n = 37) from school, 8% (n = 17) from family, 17% (n = 36) from friends, 27% (n = 57) from health care providers. About 4% (n = 8) believed that their partners disliked their redundant prepuce/phimosis. 20% (n = 42) had received doctors' advice to undergo circumcision. CONCLUSION: Knowledge about the foreskin was low among Chinese males. Our study elucidates the factors associated with WTC and suggests that more education of the population about the foreskin can help improve the recognition of a correctible abnormality and help patients assess the potential role of MC in their health.

[Ketamine induces apoptosis of human uroepithelial SV-HUC-1 cells].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of ketamine on the apoptosis of human uroepithelial cells (SVHUC-1) and the pathogenesis of ketamine-associated cystitis. METHODS: SV-HUC-1 cells were cultured under various concentrations of ketamine and differenttime. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the rate of cell apoptosis. The protein levels of Bax, Bcl-2, pro-caspase-3, and cleaved caspase-3 were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the apoptotic rate of ketamine cultured SV-HUC-1 cells increased. The expression of Bax increased, Bcl-2 expression decreased, and Bax/Bcl-2 in the ketamine cultured SV-HUC-1 cells was significantly higher. The protein level of pro-caspase-3 was significantly lower, and that of cleaved caspase-3 was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05), positively correlated with the dose of ketamine and time of culture (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Ketamine can induce the apoptosis of SV-HUC-1 cells in a dose and time dependent manner.

[Therapeutic effect of regular urethral dilatation on patients with postoperative urethral stricture].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the therapeutic effect of regular urethral dilatation on patients with postoperative urethral stricture. METHODS: A total of 142 patients underwent urethral stricture. The unimproved patients after the surgery were divided into a reoperation group and a regular urethral dilatation group. All the patients were followed up for 1-3 months, and the curative effect was compared. RESULTS: Of the 142 patients, 42 had no improvement and 27 of them had reoperation, and symptoms in 21 were improved. Another 15 patients received regular urethral dilatation, and 5 improved. There was significant difference between the 2 groups (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Regular urethral dilatation has some effect on postoperative patients, but no obvious effect on patients with dissatisfied operation for urethral stricture or restenosis.